Pre-formed meat package

ABSTRACT

A NEGATIVE PRESSURE PACKAGE IS PROVIDED EMPLOYING A RIGID OR SEMI-RIGID CLEAR PLASTIC TUB FITTABLE TO A SELF-SUPPORTING LID OR BASE MEMBER, AND ADAPTED TO CONTAIN WEINERS OR WEINER-LIKE PRODUCTS WITH MINIMUM PRODUCT DEFORMATION AND WITH IMPROVED CHARACTERISTICS FOR RETAINING A PRESERVATIVE ENVIRONMENT WITHIN THE PACKAGE. STRATEGIC STACKING OR POSITIONING OF THE WEINERS IS PERMITTED BY EMPLOYMENT OF A VOID FILLER COMPONENT STRATEGICALLY LOCATED TO TAKE UP EXCESS SPACE WITHIN THE PACKAGE THE FILLER COMPONENT OPTIMALLY COMPRISES A SEPARATE FILM ENVELOPE CONTAINING A COMPLEMENTARY PRODUCT SUCH AS A MUSTARD, RELISH, KETCHUP, SPICES OR THE LIKE. IN ADDITION, THE TUB IS PROVIDED WITH VARIOUS INFLECTION OR HINGE LINES TO CONTROLLABLY ASSIST TAKE UP OF INTERNAL PACKAGE VOLUME LOST THROUGH SLOW COMPRESSION AND/OR SQUEEZING TOGETHER OF THE PRODUCTS DURING PACKAGE LIFE, BY ATMOSPHERIC PRESSURE.

p 12, 1972 L. M. THOMKA 3,690,903

PRE'FORMED MEAT PACKAGE Filed Jan. 6, 1970 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. dado i6 M Thom /ra .Bmh. "l. fklLJ-ww HTTOR/VEY P 2, 1972 L. M. THOMKA I 3,690,903

PRE-FORMED MEAT PACKAGE Filed Jan. 6, 1970 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Lao die M. Thom/ 0 6% mZhM H TTORIVEY United States Patent Oflice 3,690,903 Patented Sept. 12, 1972 ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A negative pressure package is provided employing a rigid or semi-rigid clear plastic tub fittable to a self-supporting lid or base member, and adapted to contain weiners or weiner-like products with minimum product deformation and with improved characteristics for retaining a preservative environment within the package. Strategic stacking'or positioning of the weiners is permitted by employment of a void filler component strategically located to take up excess space within the package. The filler component optimally comprises a separate film envelope containing a complementary product such as mustard, relish, ketchup, spices or the like. In addition, the tub is provided with various inflection or hinge lines to controllably assist take up of internal package volume lost through slow compression and/or squeezing together of the products during package life, by atmospheric pressure.

DISCUSSION OF THE PRIOR ART Field of the invention The present invention relates to an improved package for weiners or like irregularly shaped products packed in a negative pressure environment with respect the surrounding atmosphere. More particularly, the invention relates to such a package constructed to minimize objectionable product deformation by atmospheric pressure and, in addition, a package able to controllably adjust.

its internal volume to accommodate gradual or slow loss of the same due to the weight of the atmosphere pressing inwardly on the package.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Perishable foodstuffs such as weiners or weiner-like products are freqeuntly desirably packed in negative pressure packages. Such packages are exemplified by vacuum or gas flush packages where there is some degree of negative pressure inside the package with respect to atmospheric pressure. Negative pressure packages ashave heretofore been used commercially for weiners are commonly of an all film or substantially all film construction. For example, an all film negative pressure weiner package is illustrated in US. Pat. No. 3,363,395.

In contrast, rigid vacuum or gas flush package types such as are illustrated in US. Pat. No. 3,087,823, have seen little, if any, commercial application for packaging weiner-like products; but are extensively employed for such related meat products as sliced luncheon meat or the like. Nevertheless, long suggested use of rigid vacuum packages for weiner-like products is evidenced by explicit teaching in the aforesaid Pat. No. 3,087,823, and. in addition, for example, in US. Pat. No. 3,131,069. The latter relates to vacuum weiner packages of partially rigid construction.

Weiners, as pertinent background information,'are conventionally manufactured and packaged ten (sometimes eight) to the pound. It has been most expedient in the past to vacuum package pound lots of weiners by stacking the same symmetrically in two rows of five weiners each. Such an array unfortunately leaves relatively large voids or interstitial spaces along the boundary between the two rows due to irregular or round product configuration. When vacuum packed, the weiners are frequently permanently deformed or misshaped by slow flow into the indicated void spaces, as is caused by atmospheric pressure pressing inwardly on the products.

Rigid package constructions, despite the applied name, norni'ally comprise lightweight, flexible but self-supporting container parts oftentimes of plastic. Negative pressure inside such rigid containers, therefore, does result in inward movement of the container, causing the same to firmly squeeze inwardly against its contents. Thus, in the case of weiners, objectionable product flow and permanent reshaping can result as indicated generally above. Film packages, as constructed heretofore, normally are substantially less sensitive to product reshaping in that the film is able to conform more evenly to irregular product shape. The heretofore greater tendency-of a rigid package to deform the product has therefore been considered a considerable disadvantage to its use as a weiner pack.

Moreover, product flow into such void areas or spaces can significantly lessen internal package volume. Film vacuum packages, while they may wrinkle and therefore diminish in appearance, are not affected as much functionally by such product shifting or compacting, and resultant adjustments in internal volume. Prior art rigid packages, however, are oftentimes functionally affected in that resultant take-up movement in their more rigid parts can severely stress the hermetic seal joining the packages components together. The vacuum retention qualities of the package or the toughness of its hermetic seal is-thus usually lessened with greater likelihood of increased incidence of ultimate premature seal failure.

It is among the objects of the present invention, therefore, to provide:

An improved rigid package for irregularly shaped products such as weiners or weiner-like products, the package being constructed to retain such products in a negative pressure environment with respect to atmospheric pressure;

Such a package wherein improved container construction and product arrangement within the container minimizes product deformation and improves the capability of the package to retain a preservative product environment therewithin;

A rigid vacuum or gas flush package for weiners or weiner-like products, the package including a void filler component adapted to assist in minimizing product deformation Within the container, and ultimate package failure caused by product flow or compacting into void areas;

. and

Such a package wherein the filler component comprises a separate package containing a complementary product such as mustard, relish, ketchup or the like.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Briefly then, the present invention contemplates a rigid package for containing weiners or weiner-like products in a negative pressure environment, and wherein improved package construction and arrangement of the product therein cooperatively operate to reduce product deformation and resultant package distortion under atmospheric pressure. Such a package optimally is designated to contain a strategic number of weiners plus one or more void filler components, and includes a lid or base member preferably of pliant material such as plastic foam. The base can be formed to define individual side-by-side hollows adapted to receive a first row of weiners, and in the special instance of packaging one pound lots, or ten weiners, six such hollows are so provided. A second row of four weiners and, for example, a void filler component of weiner shape, is stacked atop the first row in pyramid fashion, that is, each weiner in the top row is supported between two adjacent weiners in the lower or first row. A clear plastic tub is precontoured to intimately fit over the stack of weiners and is hermetically sealed to the base, with a negative pressure inside the package. The tub sidewall can be provided with a hinge line which cooperatively operates with the indicated stack arrangement to controllably take up 10s of internal package volume due to the inwardly pressing force of the atmosphere. In a modified embodiment of the invention, the tub is recessed in the region of the 'void filler component, the filler component optionally employed, and the recessed region constructed with a substantially flat area to provide space for advertising legends and the like.

The preferred embodiments of the invention are shown in the accompanying drawings wherein wheresoever possible, like reference numerals designate corresponding materials and parts throughout the serveral views thereof in which:

FIGS. 1 and 2 are cross-sectional views showing, in part, prior art negative pressure package constructions at periods before and after vacuumization, respectively, and are taken through a mid-region of the package generally in a direction traverse to the orientation of the weiner-like products contained therewithin;

FIG. 3 is a view like FIGS. 1 and 2, but shows the improved package construction of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of the package of FIG. 3 taken along reference line 44 thereof;

FIG. 5 is a side view of a void filler component employed in the package construction of FIG. 3; and

FIGS. 6 and 7 are fragmentary enlarged views of a package like that shown in FIG. 3, only showing certain modified embodiments thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring now more particularly to the drawings, there is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 a package A representing in part conventional or prior art package construction, but incorporating therein certain improvements to an extent as will be indicated hereafter. Package A contains an even number of weiners, sausages or the like products B, symmetrically stacked in rows C and D, respectively, each weiner normally being about one inch in diameter and approximately a little over 5 inches long.

The package employs a self-supporting base or lid E comprising an improvement as indicated above in that the same is formed to define five side-by-side arranged r hollows or precontoured regions F. Regions F are each adapted to singularly receive a weiner B from lower row C.

In addition, package A includes a cup or tub G of a clear self-supporting plastic, fitted over the weiners and hermetically joined to base E along a peripherally continuous tongue and groove construction indicated generally at H.

Tub G can be thermoformed in the region of its top portion I to provide side-by-side arranged hollows or precontoured areas J, similar to those in base E and adapted to intimately engage the top row of weiners D.

Referring now to FIG. 2, package A, when evacuated, causes the weiners to compact or squeeze together to slow ly fill a plurality of large voids K defined along boundary L between rows C and D. Resultant disadvantages of package A are listed below:

1) Objectionable permanent distortion or misshaping of weiners B along boundary L.

(2) Uncontrolled distortion or deforming of cup G, especially in the vicinity of its sidewall M, and caused by necessary movement of the same to adjust for loss of internal package volume occasioned principally by product flow into voids K. Oftentimes severe tub creasing will occur as denoted at N, spoiling the appearance of the package and increasing the incidence of tub fracture.

(3) Creation of undue or high stresses at the hermetic seal H caused by sidewall M distortion and thereby weakening the vacuum retention qualities of the package.

The improved vacuum or negative pressure package construction of the present invention is contrastingly shown in FIGS. 3 through 5, as generally denoted therein by reference numeral 10. Package 10 includes a base or lid member 12 defining a peripherally continuous sealing groove 14; and six side-by-side arranged hollows or precontoured depressed regions 16 adapted to receive a like number of weiners or weiner-like products 18 comprising a first row of weiners 20. A second row 22 comprises four weiners 18 and a void filler component 24, the latter being preferably of weiner shape, as is shown separately at FIG. 5. Second row 22 is stacked or placed on first row in staggered array therewith with placement of the second row being in the five depressed areas or voids 26, respectively, defined between adjacent weiners 18 in first row 20. A generally truncated pyramid stacking array results as viewed from the end (see FIG. 3). Such a stacking array is advantageously permitted by the use of void filler component 24, which although being shown as positioned in the middle of the second row, can alternatively be placed in any of the positions defined in the first and second rows 20 and 22, respectively.

A rigid semi-rigid plastic tub or cup of preferably clear barrier plastic, is precontoured to snugly fit over weiners 18. Tub 30 is equipped with peripherally continuous tongue member 32 fittable in groove 14, and is hermetically joined to base 12 such as by application of a sealing glue or adhesive layer to groove 14, or by heat sealing tongue 32 and groove 14 together where compatible or heat scalable. Preferably, a tack or pressure sensitive adhesive is employed singularly or in combination with a heat seal, to permit repeated opening and rescaling together of package 10 by refitting tongue 32 in groove '14.

Precontoured tub 30, more specifically, includes five side-by-side arranged hollows or depressed regions 34 at its top portion 36, such regions being similar to hollows 16 defined in base 12; and being contoured to intimately engage and receive the top portions of weiners 18 and void filler component 24 comprising second row 22. In addition, the side portions 38 and 40, respectively, of tub 30, are provided with inflection or hinge lines comprising preferably relatively sharp precontoured bends 42 and 44 residing approximately at the boundary between rows 20 and 22, as is denoted by imaginary plane 46; and below hinge lines 42 and 44, side portions 38 and are of rounded configuration to snugly engage the outside wieners, respectively, of first row 20 as denoted at 48 and 50.

The stacking arrangement or array of weiners 18 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 is adaptable to packaging even numbers of weiners such as the customary number of ten, and cooperatively operates with package 10 construction to minimize product misshaping or deformation; and, in addition, package distortion accompanying loss of internal package volume caused by the weight of the atmosphere pressing inwardly on the package. Resultant weakening of the hermetic seal is also minimized, as explained above. In particular, the interstitial spaces or voids 26 between the weiners are now staggered and much smaller than those presented by the prior art packages depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2. Accordingly, significantly less space is available for slow flow of the weiners 18 into spaces 26 accompanying vacuumization or creation of a negative pressure, with respect to atmospheric pressure, in package 10. Moreover, controlled movement of side portions 38 and 40 as is permitted at inflection lines 42 and 44 to enable package 10 to controllably move to take up loss of internal package volume. Most optimally, end portions 52 of tub 30 are likewise provided with similarly situated hinge lines 54 as denoted in FIG. 4. In addition, sidewall movement in regions 48 and '50, or in other words, sidewall movement adjacent the hermetic seal, is

minimized by'the exceptionally intimate product and tub fit'obtained at such regions.

Referring now to FIG. 5, void filler component 24, in addition to permitting advantageous product stacking or array, optimally comprises a separate deformable package such as a film envelope or casing 56 containing a complementary product 58 such as mustard, relish, ketchup, or the like. Casing 56 alternatively can be compartmented (not shown) to provide separate envelopes containing several or more such complementary products, respectively, or comprise several separate envelopes arranged, for example, end-to-end to simulate weiner 18 size and configuratiomCasing 56 can comprise, for example, any ofa variety of suitable packaging films such as Saran (a vinylidene, vinyl chloride copolymer) and is packed such as tobe readily deformable, and able to snugly conform to fillvoid regions adjacent thereto. Condiments such as spices, recipe additives or the like are exemplary complementary products, desirably packaged in casing 56-, in addition to those enumerated above.

Modifications to the present invention are shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. In FIG. 6, modified package 10a includes a plastic tub 30a provided with at flat recessed region 60 located adjacent void filler component 24a. Void filler 24a is made sufliciently deformable, such as by filling the same with fiowable product 58a, as to enable its flush intimate engagement and support of tub 30a at the underside of region 60. Moreover, region 60 desirably provides a flat, conveniently-located surface for adhering labels, price indices and like legends, and is placed, for example, at the middle part of the top portion 36a of the tub 30a, thereby preserving symmetrical package 10a appearance.

Referring now to FIG. 7, a modified package 10b is shown including a deeply recessed region 62 disposed, for example, symmetrically at the mid-region of top portion 36b of tub 30b. Recessed region 62 provides for the elimination of a void filler component, where desired, but preserves a flat region for placement of advertising or labeling indicia as explained above. Or alternatively, if desired, a separable premium package 64, or a package containing a complementary product, can be fitted or contained in region 62 and secured such as by means of a tape or band 66.

In addition, recessed region 62 advantageously functions to permit lateral movement of tub 30 inward at additional regions, as is denoted generally at 68, thereby minimizing severe movement at a particular region of tube 30b accompanying loss of internal package 10b volume. Such distribution of movement minimizes stress, and ultimate likelihood of tub fracture or a weakening of the hermetic seal as is caused by stress between the tub and base member 1211.

Referring to certain specifics of the invention, base members 12, 12a and 12b (the latter two not shown) are optimally constructed of a film and foam laminate of a type, for example, as is discussed in some detail in US. Pat. No. 3,454,158. Such laminate material is denoted in FIG. 3 and 4 as comprising plies 70 and 72, respectively, and is of an unusually pliant nature. That is, the material is able to deform readily with minimum creation of stress, and therefore, is able to move inwardly to take up loss of internal package volume at the bottom of packages 10, 10a and 10b; and with minimum chance of destruction of the hermetic seal, and minimum placement of stress on tubs 30, 30a and 30b. Examples of other materials useful for forming such base members, however, would be nonexpanded plastics such as polyvinyl chloride or Saran coated polystyrene packaging materials, preferably of a relatively thin gauge or thickness such as in the range of about 5 to 30 mils. The heavy gauges would normally be used for tack seal type closures. The tub components of the present invention can be pressure formed from plastic sheet material, of gauge or thickness normally approximately in the range of 5 to 15 mils. The tongue and groove sealing arrangement can be as shown in detail in the aforesaid Pat. No. 3,454,158, preferably employing a tack or pressure sensitive sealing agent for reclosability or a double seal construction, including, for example, the combination of both a pressure sensitive and heat seal hermetic seals.

While certain representative embodiments and details have been shown for the purpose of illustrating the invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A package comprising a base member supporting in side-by-side fashion a first row of weiner-like products, a second row of weiner-like products stacked on said first row and in staggered relationship therewith, said first and second rows presenting a truncated pyramid-like appearing stacking array as viewed from the end, a tub fitted over said weiner-like products, and hermetically sealed to said base with a negative pressure inside said package, said tub including first and second inflection lines pre-formed in opposed side portions thereof, respectively, and located in a region approximately aligned with the plane defined at the boundary between said first and second rows, said side portions extending lengthwise of said products and at regions generally adjacent said inflection lines being stepped-out to intimately conform about top and side portions of the outermost products, respectively, in said first row, said tub being peripherally sealed to said base at a location generally adjacent the lower part of said stepped-out regions but generally outwardly thereof, the base member and tub being of generally self supporting construction.

2. The package of claim 1 wherein said tub includes precontoured hollow regions adapted to intimately fit against top portions, respectively, of the products comprising the uppermost row in said stacking array.

3. The package of claim 1 including similarly situated inflection lines in the opposite end portions, respectively, of said tub.

4. The package of claim 1 wherein said products com prise an even number of weiner-like products and a void filler component, said void filler component occupying a position in said stack to permit said rows to be stacked in staggered relationship with each other.

5. The package of claim 4 including ten weiner-like products contained within said package, said first row comprising six of said products arranged side-by-side.

6. The package of claim 4 wherein said products are arranged with an even number of the same in said first row, and an odd number of the same in said second row.

7. The package of claim 4 wherein said void filler component is deformable by pressures exerted inwardly on said package of a degree comprising the difference between atmospheric pressure and the negative pressure within said package.

8. The package of claim 4 wherein said void filler component comprises a film casing filled with a complementary product.

9. The package of claim 4 wherein said void filler component is of similar configuration to said weiner-like products.

10. The package of claim 1 wherein said tub comprises a clear plastic material.

11. The package of claim 10 wherein said base mem ber comprises plastic foam of a pliant quality.

12. The package of claim 1 wherein said base includes a plurality of precontoured hollow regions for individually receiving the lower portion of said products, respectfully in said first row, respectively.

13. A package comprising a base member supporting in side-by-side fashion a first row of weiner-like products, at least a second row of weiner-like products stacked on said first row and in staggered relationship therewith, said first and second rows presenting a truncated pyramid-like appearing stacking array as viewed from the end, a tub fitted over said weiner-like products, and hermetically sealed to said base with a negative pressure inside said package, said tub including a recesed region adapted to occupy the volume of at least one product position in the uppermost row of said stack, said base member and tub being generally of self-supporting construction a separate package being disposed in said recessed region and means securely fixing said separate package to said tub.

14. The package of claim 13 wherein said recessed region defines a relatively fiat horizontally oriented surface suitable for placement of labeling indicia and the like.

15. A rigid package for containing a plurality of weiners or like compressible products of generally elongated cylindrical shape and which are sensitive to oxygen, said package comprising a base member defining a plurality of elongated side-by-side arranged product receiving hollows, a first row of said products supported on said base member, said products being arranged side-by-side and being individually cradled in said hollows, respectively, with the lowermost extent of the products being in generally intimate conformity with the hollows, at least a second row of said products arranged side-by-side and aligned in the same direction as the products in said first row and stacked thereon, said rows being staggered so that said products in the second row are supported underneath generally equally between adjacent products in the first row, the first row including one more product position then the second row to present a generaly truncated pyramid-like stacking array, a see-through plastic tub fitted over said products and including a top wall and a sidewall depending generally downwardly from said top wall toward said base member, said top wall including a plurality of elongated side-by-side hollows concave to the hollows of said base member, and which individually and intimately cradle the upper extent of the products in the uppermost row of said stack, said sidewall including opposed side portions extending lengthwise of said stack and end portions disposed adjacent the opposite ends, respectively, of the stack, said side portions being steppedout to intimately follow the contour of the outermost products of said first row, a pre-formed line of inflection defined in said side portions, respectively, said lines of inflection extending lengthwise of said products adjacent the boundary between said first and second rows, a seal hermetically joining said base member and tub together with a negative pressure inside said package, the base member and tub being of generally self-supporting construction.

16. The package of claim 15 including a pre-formed line of inflection in said end portions, respectively, and which are situated adjacent said boundary and extend therealong. Y

17. The package of claim 15 wherein at least one prod- 0 uct position in said stack is occupied by void filler component.

18. The package of claim 15 wherein the tub and base member are preformed parts having formed mating means therein extending continuously generally peripherally on said tub and base member, respectively, and which are mated together in said package, said hermetic seal residing in the area of said mating means.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,227,608 5/1917 Godfrey 206-DIG. 23 3,087,823 4/1963 Hein 99l74 2,424,536 7/1947 Mayer 99l74 2,835,596 5/1958 Kaufman 99l74 X 2,908,576 10/1959 Rumsey 99l74 3,171,749 3/1965 Dreyfus 99l74 X 3,216,832 11/1965 King 99176 3,454,158 7/1969 Tigner 99l74 X FRANK W. LUTTER, Primary Examiner R. HALPER, Assistant Examiner US. Cl. X.R.

206-46 F; 22987 F; 99171PP 6 CERTIFICATE 9F QQ EREQTEN Patent 3,690,903. Dated eptember 12, 1972 Inventofls) Laddie M- Thomka Itv is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

' Column 1, line 35, insert to between "respect" and "the".

Coiumn 1,1ine L b, change "freqeuntly" to --frequently. Column 3, line 9, change "105" to loss--:.

line 19, change "serveral" to "several-r Column 6, line 69, delete "respectfully" and insert respectively. Column 7, line 7, insert after "construction".

line 29, change "generaly" to -generally- Signed and sealed this 10th day of April 1973 (SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M. FLETCHER,JR. ROBERT GOTTSCHALK Attesting Officer v Commissioner of Patents 

